Haridwar land scam: Locals struggle to sell properties near waste site where civic body bought land at inflated rate
Haridwar: The alleged scam involving the sale of a 2.3-hectare plot next to a garbage dumping site in Sarai village has left locals stunned. Villagers were shocked to learn that the Haridwar Nagar Nigam purchased the land for Rs 54 crore, even as they themselves struggle to sell their properties, despite slashing prices, due to the foul odour and polluted air from the dumping site.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Action has been taken against 12 officials, including Haridwar district magistrate (DM) Karmendra Singh, sub-divisional magistrate Ajayveer Singh and the then commissioner of the Haridwar Municipal Corporation. The alleged scam centres on the conversion of the land's use from agricultural to commercial, inflating its value from Rs 15 crore to Rs 54 crore. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has issued directions to cancel the sale deed and recover the payment made to the farmers whose bank accounts have been frozen.
Ironically, the same farmers who secured the inflated rate had previously been unable to find buyers due to the site's proximity to the dumping ground. The facility has made daily life difficult for residents, especially when it comes to arranging marriages for their children.
Residents are furious that despite repeated promises by the municipal corporation to manage waste properly, garbage continues to pile up at the site.
That the same corporation is now embroiled in the scam has only deepened public anger.
A resident, Lakshmi Devi, told TOI, "Before the dumping ground, we were happy. The entire village was living a good life, but now it is like living in hell. Our relatives shy away from coming to our homes, and we are facing difficulties searching for a groom and bride for the young ones. Somehow girls find grooms, but no one is ready to marry the local boys.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Garbage burns continuously, and old people and children are facing breathing problems.
"
Many residents are desperate to relocate, but efforts to sell their properties have failed. Local resident Rahul Kumar said, "We do not want to live here. Many have moved to other areas and are living in rented accommodation, while others are trying to sell their property but no one comes forward due to the dumping ground, even at very low prices. We are surprised how the municipal corporation bought land at a commercial rate.
"
For now, villagers are left to endure the stench and pollution as the case unfolds.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
43 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
DMK govt ‘running on commission, collection and corruption', says EPS
KALLAKURICHI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday alleged that the DMK government is 'running on commission, collection, and corruption'. Speaking at a welfare assistance distribution event in Ulundurpet, Palaniswami said, 'Corruption has worsened under the DMK regime. Every department is affected. No land registration happens without bribes. Even at Tasmac, a bribe of Rs 10 is collected per bottle. Law and order has also deteriorated. Movement of banned substances has increased.' Palaniswami said no one can take over the AIADMK. 'MK Stalin is unable to tolerate our alliance with the BJP. He says the AIADMK is finished, but he is daydreaming. Look at the gathering here, everyone should work for the victory of AIADMK and alliance candidates. Youth and women should work to ensure our victory in all five Assembly constituencies of Kallakurichi district.' Palaniswami said even after MGR's death, DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi could not destroy the AIADMK. After Jayalalithaa's demise, Stalin tried to topple the AIADMK but failed. 'In 2026 election, the AIADMK will win and form the government with a clear majority,' Palaniswami asserted. Responding to Stalin's repeated remarks that AIADMK lost 10 elections under his leadership, Palaniswami said, 'How many times did the DMK lose from 2011 to 2021? In 2011, the DMK couldn't even sit in the opposition benches. The DMK came to power with false promises. The DMK has failed to fulfil its poll promises of getting NEET exemption, increasing working days under 100-day job scheme, education loan waiver and restoration of old pension scheme.'
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Minister orders action overcharging autos against
Bengaluru: KarnatakaTransport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has directed the Transport Commissioner to take strict action against app-based and other autorickshaws in Bengaluru that charge fares above the government-fixed rates, calling the practice a 'daylight robbery'. The Minister said permits of such autos should be cancelled and cases registered against the violators. 'If there is a complaint from passengers about overcharging, cancellation of the journey if the higher fare is not paid, immediate action should be taken and the permit of such autos should be cancelled and a case should be registered,' Reddy said in his letter to the Transport Commissioner, on June 28. 'For example: On June 18, 2025, Rapido Auto App charged Rs. 100.89 per km, while Auto O App charged Rs. 184.19 for a 4 km journey. This kind of daylight robbery from the public is unforgivable, strict action should be taken urgently.' There have been complaints from commuters about rising auto fares. The meter fare is fixed at Rs 30 for the first 1.9 km, and Rs 15 for every additional kilometre. The Minister noted that although the Transport Department had registered cases against auto drivers for refusing rides and demanding excess fares, complaints from the public continue to pour in. He has also attached copies of mobile phone screenshots shared by denizens, highlighting instances of overcharging and urged officials to take appropriate action. 'It has been directed to immediately formulate an effective action plan to protect the interest of the public and take stern action against the guilty auto drivers/owners,' added.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
ED seizes Rs 1.37 crore after raids in Karnataka
Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has found incriminating documents related to money laundering activities and seized Rs 1.37 crore in cash from the premises of the private engineering colleges after raids at 17 locations in Karnataka in connection with the seat blocking scam, an official said on Saturday. 'The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bengaluru Zonal Office, has conducted search operations at 17 locations related to the Seat Blocking Scam in private engineering colleges in Bengaluru on June 25 and June 26 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act( PMLA), 2002,' the ED said in a statement. During the search operations, various incriminating documents related to money laundering activities and other digital devices have been found and seized, it stated. The search proceedings have revealed evidence with respect to widespread seat blocking and use of cash/money in the admission process in popular professional courses in the private institutes, the ED said. There is an extensive network of agents, educational consultancy service entities, which is used to bring students for admission from across India to these institutes, the federal agency stated. The admission in Management quota seats is done mostly in an opaque manner based on extraneous considerations such as cash/money. In addition to the evidence gathered, the Proceeds of Crime in the form of cash to the tune of approximately Rs 1.37 crore were also found and seized during the search proceedings, the ED said. The search operations were conducted at the office premises of BMS College of Engineering, Akash Institute of Engineering and Technology, and New Horizon College of Engineering, and persons associated with these institutions. 'The search proceedings were also conducted at the premises of a few entities engaged in educational consultancy services and some private agents associated with the scam,' the ED said. The ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) against BMS College of Engineering, Akash Institute of Engineering and Technology, New Horizon College of Engineering and unknown persons under various sections of IPC/BNSS. It is alleged that these colleges colluded with unknown persons, obtained the log-in credentials of students registered with KEA and blocked seats by opting for seats in their college in the name of students who were not actually going to take admission.
